[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by HolyHandgernade

You really think we can play a four guard lineup with a team that can't connect with consistency from 3? We were 9-0 with Dok clogging Lawson's space. This is the problem when people view the part from the whole. Is Dok the greatest college player ever? Far from it. But does he demand that you play a certain way? He absolutely does. You can't play just one player on him and let him set up under the basket, so it affected the whole way you played defense.

Now, you double Lawson. You chase a streaky Vick. You pack it inside and dare KU to beat you shooting from 3. Dotson is dangerous in transition. Grimes is still finding his way. Don't let Garrett drive, and even if he does, there's a better than average chance he'll miss it. McCormack is still developing, Lightfoot gives energy but little production, KJ and Moore... maybe, maybe not.

Now, I'm not saying they can't do it, but I just don't see it right now. We got killed by ISU because there was no fear in the paint. There best hope outside of SDS being allowed to play is that McCormack develops quickly. Garrett's liability on offense puts us in a tough space against any team that can trot two legitimate bigs out there. Lawson is not a rim protector or a paint defender. Lawson, as good as he has been, cannot carry the offensive load the way Manning could. He doesn't have that level of talent. He's not going to become a 25 and 10 guy in Conference play facing constant double teams.

I agree with all of that. We aren't the better without Doke altogether, but we were seeming the better team with one at a time.